What Causes Groundwater Contamination?

Groundwater contamination is a vital topic that should be discussed on all levels because the first step to controlling groundwater contamination can only start with awareness about ground contamination and its dangerous effects.

Usually, humans are blamed for groundwater contamination. It is true! Humans should be held accountable for causing groundwater contamination; however, there are several natural reasons why groundwater gets contaminated. Some of the most common causes of groundwater contamination include:

1. Saline Levels:

Saline is not dangerous for humans if it is below 250 mg/l. However, the increased saline level can be dangerous for human and animal consumption. High-level saline groundwater is also unfit for agricultural use.

2. Arsenic Levels:

Groundwater contaminated with high arsenic levels is a global issue. Consuming water with arsenic poisoning can cause severe and long-term health issues like cardiovascular diseases, neurodevelopmental delays, cancer, and other health conditions and diseases. More than 60 million people were under serious health threat due to the consumption of arsenic poisoned water in Pakistan.

3. Chemical use:

Improper and extensive use of chemical-based products is a common cause of groundwater contamination. Chemical poisons include household cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, and others. Groundwater remediation should be a serious concern to control its adverse effects in the long-term.

4. Harmful waste pollution:

Uncontrolled and abandoned waste sites carry a massive risk of groundwater contamination. In the United States, there are more than 20 thousand waste sites; those toxic waste sites carry a severe potential of contaminating the groundwater.

5. Underground Fuel Tanks:

Although, many countries across the globe have worked on groundwater treatments and remedies to protect groundwater from being contaminated by leaking or bursting underground fuel tanks; however, this is still a major risk for contamination.

6. Landfill contamination:

Although landfills are designed to protect groundwater contamination; however, they always carry a potential risk that can easily harm the nearby groundwater if preventive methods are not followed seriously.